About Chronically Claire...
Life is not just mere existence. It is not a passive activity in which one lives a shallow and subconscious existence in hopes that something will come of it. We were blessed with lives so we could live, not just exist. And part of living is fully experiencing every moment as it comes, good or bad. Part of living is experiencing every moment that life gives you and seeing the beauty within it all. We all have a story to tell. The stories that mold us into the people we are. The stories that teach us how to love, cry, laugh, and how to live. It is no coincidence that joy and sorrow both seem to be a necessary part of life, and that everything happens for a reason. Scary and devastating suffering doesn't occur so we can hide it away and shove those experiences into the deepest and darkest depths of our hearts. They happen so they can be experienced, shared, and learned from. Even the most horrific moments in life need to be shared simply because my pain might possibly be able to give comfort, courage, and peace to another. My pain might relieve someone of their pain. My pain might give someone hope. And if I can be an instrument in helping just one troubled soul, then the pain that I suffer is completely worth it.
My story: Chronic Lyme Disease. My once upon a time began with my mother contracting Lyme. And my happily ever after I work toward every day of my life because even through suffering I can still find beauty in life. My mother contracted Lyme long before we ever figured that I had it, or that my father had it. And part of her story is my story because I watched her suffer and in turn suffered emotionally only to find two years later that I have it too. My mother taught me how to suffer with grace and beauty and I intend to follow in her footsteps in my journey towards healing.
My story: Chronic Lyme Disease. My once upon a time began with my mother contracting Lyme. And my happily ever after I work toward every day of my life because even through suffering I can still find beauty in life. My mother contracted Lyme long before we ever figured that I had it, or that my father had it. And part of her story is my story because I watched her suffer and in turn suffered emotionally only to find two years later that I have it too. My mother taught me how to suffer with grace and beauty and I intend to follow in her footsteps in my journey towards healing.
So What is Chronic Lyme Disease? |
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection of the blood, that can spread and attack any organ system in your body. If left untreated for too long it can eventually spread to more vital parts of your body such as your nervous system and brain. Spirochetes are spiral shaped bacteria, thus giving them access to drill into any part of the body and manifest itself in many ways. Lyme can imitate many other conditions, thus making it incredibly difficult to be diagnosed. Many Lyme patients go misdiagnosed for years, or perhaps for their entire lives. Lyme bacteria hides in your system until your immune system is compromised to a weak state. Outside factors such as stress, exhaustion, poor nutrition, and chemical environment can trigger suppressed Lyme bacteria, making it very easy for Lyme to quickly and suddenly make you unimaginably sick.
Lyme disease is brutal. Lyme is difficult. Lyme is painful. And Lyme can and will kill you. There are many misconceptions about Lyme disease, but I have lived in a Lyme body, and I know what it is like. There are ways to treat it, but it is a long and painful journey. Although I still suffer at times, so far I'm a survivor and I'm grateful for the knowledge and hope that God has blessed me with all along the way. |
My Lyme Symptoms...
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A Glimpse Into LYME Life...
Lyme looks like this. It's real suffering experienced by real people.
So is There a Cure for Lyme Disease?
My straight forward and blunt answer would be no, but I have experienced significant improvement with many treatments and protocols to the point where I have my quality of life back, and I can once again face life on my own two feet. It still takes hard work and effort to maintain my health and I do believe that if I were to go back to the lifestyle that I was living prior to my diagnosis, I would quickly slip back into the daily pain and agony that Lyme offers. I still have flares, I still have pain on some days, and I still have a battle to keep fighting. Healing is NOT linear. It's up, down, and unexpectedly all over the place. The difference now is that I feel like it's worth the fight, and I know that there is hope for miraculous amounts of healing in this journey.
Then vs. Now
"For broken dreams, the cure is to dream again, and dream deeper."
-C.S. Lewis
My FaithI am a dedicated follower of Christ. My love for God, and dedication to living the principles of the gospel are my entire life, and I truly believe that it is through my Savior, Jesus Christ, that I have come out conqueror through my most soul stretching times.
Living with a Chronic Illness is not an easy task. It takes patience, long suffering, endurance, faith, hope, and love for God and all of the people around me. I've been taught my entire life to live a virtuous and righteous life as I pick and choose who I want to become and who I want to become like. My ultimate goal is to be like my Savior, Jesus Christ. Through my suffering I have learned to draw near unto Him and stay faithful to what I know to be true. I love Him dearly and it is through Him, and His suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross that I have been able to overcome my pains and sorrows. Jesus suffered and died for me so I can come out conqueror and be saved. I'm not finished suffering in this lifetime. I know that. But as I continue to suffer I will rely on Christ as the source of peace, hope, and solid foundation. My desire as I write my hearts deepest thoughts and feelings is to share the truth with people. There is always peace in suffering. You are not alone. God is always with you, and through Him you can ALWAYS find peace, love, and everlasting joy. I have truly felt that in my life. And my prayer is that everyone and anyone can feel that as well. |
In honor of my God, my liberty, my family, and those who I consider to be my family. In honor of those who are sick, afflicted, and poor in spirit. In honor of those who washed the feet of Jesus, that I may continue in the washing of His feet.
The Symbolism of the Rose
I believe that roses have a unique beauty to them. A unique beauty that each of our lives also posses. Along with an abundance of beauty, every rose has its thorn as do our lives, but the rose is still beautiful despite the thorns. The thorn in my life is Chronic Lyme Disease. It's painful, it hurts sometimes, but it doesn't take away the beauty in my life. I believe that life is beautiful, despite the trials and hardships that we as mortal beings have to go through. Life is beautiful, as is a rose despite it's thorns.
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